Beta-adrenergic signal transduction in aging parotid and submandibular salivary glands.

This study assessed agonist- and post-receptor-stimulated adenylate cyclase (AC) activity in parotid and submandibular salivary glands from female F-344 rats of 3, 12, and 24 months of age. Isoproterenol-stimulated dose-response activation of adenylate cyclase was unchanged between 3 and 12 months but decreased at 24 months (p less than .05). Forskolin-stimulated AC activity, representing catalytic unit activity, was decreased at 24 months in the parotid (p less than .05) and at 12 months (p less than .05) and 24 months (p less than .01) in the submandibular gland. Beta-adrenergic signal transduction in salivary glands stimulates the secretion of salivary proteins that have important functions in the maintenance of oral health.